Sleep disturbances among physicians during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives To assess prevalence and related factors of sleep disturbances among Saudi physicians during COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected through a questionnaire including items about demographic characters, knowledge about covid-19 and items to assess sleep quality that were extracted from Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale. Results Prevalence of sleep disorders was 43.9%, doctors in the age group of 31–40 years, associate consultants had a significant higher prevalence of sleep disorders. Medical interns and laboratory/pathology/microbiology doctors had a significant more difficulty in fall asleep during COVID-19, and internists and surgeons had a significant higher percent of those who used sleeping pills. Resident doctors had a significant higher percent of having trouble in staying awake, and residents and consultants had a significant higher percent of those who suffered decreased sleep duration. Sleep quality during COVID-19 was very good, fair good and very bad in 23.4%, 60% and 3.5% of HCW respectively. The study observed a negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on HCW sleep quality. Hospitals administrations should provide optimal working hours with enough break and employ more doctors during the pandemic. Doctors experiencing sleep problems should have mandatory leaves.

Burden of Sleep Disturbance During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

“…A total of 34 studies were included, with the subjective sleep quality being assessed by using self-reported questionnaires 4 , 37–69 ( Table 4 ). The prevalence of poor sleep quality in HWs during COVID-19 pandemic ranged from 18.4% to 84.7% based on scores of PSQI, 4 , 37–47 which were comparable to that before the pandemic.…”

Experiences and management of physician psychological symptoms during infectious disease outbreaks: a rapid review

“…Physicians working more days, with higher patient volumes, or with increased duties than before than pandemic also had an increased prevalence of psychological symptoms [ 96 , 101 , 122 , 128 , 149 , 187 , 192 , 195 , 198 ]. Eighteen studies reported on insomnia [ 32 , 35 , 36 , 54 , 65 , 69 , 88 , 114 , 128 , 145 , 149 , 163 , 175 , 177 , 181 , 188 , 192 , 194 ], which is associated with psychiatric disorders and is a risk factor for depression and anxiety [ 15 , 32 , 54 , 65 , 69 , 199 , 200 ]. During the SARS outbreak, physicians of Asian descent felt more stigmatized than their Caucasian colleagues (Canada) [ 15 , 32 , 35 , 36 , 46 , 54 , 65 , 69 , 88 , 114 , 128 , 145 , 149 , 163 , 175 , 177 , 181 , 188 , 192 , 194 , 199 , 200 ].…”

“…One hundred studies reported on factors associated with psychological symptoms during infectious disease outbreaks. Female sex (compared to male) was the factor most commonly associated with worse psychological symptoms in physicians [30,41,44,48,63,66,71,77,89,98,112,122,127,128,138,142,144,148,163,165,170,[174][175][176][177][178][179][180][181][182][183][184][185][186][187][188][189]. Other factors associated with poorer psychological outcomes included direct patient contact [28, 32, 34, 44, 46, 53, 59, 64, 71, 81, 95, 98, 112, 122, 130, 163, 169, 175, 182, 183, 186, 190-192] [30, 34, 41, 44, 48, 59, 63, 66, 71, 77, 89], single marital status (compared to married) [39,44,59,63,98,122], younger age [33,…”

“…Eighteen studies reported on insomnia [32,35,36,54,65,69,88,114,128,145,149,163,175,177,181,188,192,194], which is associated with psychiatric disorders and is a risk factor for depression and anxiety [15,32,54,65,69,199,200]. During the SARS outbreak, physicians of Asian descent felt more stigmatized than their Caucasian colleagues (Canada) [15,32,35,36,46,54,65,69,88,114,128,145,149,163,175,177,181,188,192,194,199,200].…”

Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Emotional Regulation and the Immune System of Healthcare Workers as a Risk Factor for COVID 19: Practical Recommendations From a Task Force of the Latin American Association of Sleep Psychology

“…Both emotional responses and sleep disturbances may be related to the current COVID 19 pandemic, where isolation measures, in addition to the workload, affect health professionals. Due to the burden of stress generated, sleep deprivation, little contact with their family, long hours, and concern for the future, healthcare workers could experience a decrease in their immune response and a lower response to future outbreaks in this sector of the population where COVID 19 has already claimed many victims ( Alnofaiey et al, 2020 ; Conroy et al, 2021 ). These situations have already been explored in other types of populations ( Dubey et al, 2020 ; Liem et al, 2020 ; Rajkumar, 2020 ; Rashidi Fakari and Simbar, 2020 ; Yang et al, 2020 ; Yao et al, 2020 ; Zhu et al, 2020 ).…”